5 nights with 2 teenagers

Question

Hi there, travelling with 16 and 14 year old boys who are too cool for Disneyland! Staying a couple of nights in Santa Barbara then have 5 nights to fill in December before flying out. They are happy to do the Venice Beach and Santa Monica thing, but looking for other day trips or a 4-5 night loop from Santa Barbara. Looking for recommendations for unique towns, sports that may be on or other things to keep kids interested. All recommendations appreciated.

Answer

For a 5-night trip with teenagers along the California coast, you have lots of options that combine beaches, unique towns, outdoor adventures, and culture, without focusing on theme parks. Starting from Santa Barbara, here’s a suggested approach:

After your 2 nights in Santa Barbara, you could consider a loop down the coast or inland to explore a mix of towns and activities:

Santa Barbara to Pismo Beach/San Luis Obispo: About 1.5–2 hours north. Pismo Beach offers sand dunes, kayaking, and ATV rentals. SLO has a lively downtown and Bubblegum Alley, fun for teens.
Solvang: A Danish-style town near Santa Barbara. It’s quirky and photogenic, with bakeries and miniature windmills. Teens may enjoy the novelty of the architecture and local treats.
Malibu and Santa Monica: Spend a day enjoying the beaches, Venice Boardwalk street performers, Muscle Beach, skate parks, and Santa Monica Pier rides. Great for photo ops and casual fun.
Los Angeles day trips: You could focus on more teen-friendly experiences: Griffith Observatory for views of the Hollywood sign, The Getty for art with interesting architecture, or LA live for sports or concerts depending on schedules.

If you’re considering a 4–5 night loop instead of day trips, a northbound coastal route can be fun:

Santa Barbara → Solvang → Pismo Beach → Morro Bay (walk the boardwalk, visit Morro Rock) → Big Sur (scenic coastal drive, Bixby Bridge, McWay Falls) → Carmel/Monterey (aquarium, Cannery Row) → return south via Hwy 101.
This allows for both beach, outdoor, and scenic experiences, plus unique towns with photo opportunities and local cuisine. Big Sur and Carmel offer dramatic coastal views and are memorable for teens.

Other options for keeping teens engaged:

Surf lessons in Santa Barbara or Malibu.
Kayaking or paddleboarding in Santa Barbara Harbor or Morro Bay.
Hiking short scenic trails along the coast or in the Santa Monica Mountains.
Zip-lining or adventure parks near Pismo or Big Sur for some adrenaline.
Visiting iconic stops along the Pacific Coast Highway with photo opportunities: Bixby Bridge, McWay Falls, Pfeiffer Beach.

With this mix, you can keep the days active and varied, balancing beach fun, unique towns, scenic drives, and outdoor adventures that will appeal to teenagers while still being manageable for parents. Accommodation along the route can be split among towns like Pismo, Big Sur/Carmel, and Santa Monica for variety and less backtracking.